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On your press release dated April 20, 2005; you have claimed that” There is strong opposition among Iranian Americans to H.R. 282 / S. 333 (Iran Freedom Support Act), a bill that would make regime change official U.S. policy on Iran and eliminate the sunset provision on existing sanctions on Iran.

As an Iranian American I find your deception appalling and challenge your findings based on the followings:

1- Based on the 504 letters sent from your sample source, how did you establish the naturalization (citizenship) status of your participants that allows you to label the results that of the “Iranian-Americans”?

2- On the bottom of your bar graph (http://www.niacouncil.org/pressreleases/press263.asp ) you have stated that “the sample is not scientific”; if so what is the value of this sampling?

3-If you claim usability of your opinion sampling, then what is your statistical validity?

Statistical validity is defined as; the degree to which an observed result, such as a difference between 2 measurements, can be relied upon and not attributed to random error in sampling and measurement. The degree of statistical significance of a result depends upon the number of sampled data points (e.g. the number of users in a test), the size of the effect, and the amount of variation between measurements. Thus, statistical validity can be improved with increased samples, by reducing noise (and thus variation), and by creating as large an effect as possible.

Based on scientific means your opinion sampling is invalid and worthless, yet you state “While the findings from this campaign are not scientific, they do accurately reflect the broad range of views of Iranian Americans of varying political persuasions”.

Attached please find an objection letter from Iranian American Republican Council. I share their sentiments.

As a patriotic Iranian-American I support any legislation including H.R. 282 / S. 333 (Iran Freedom Support Act) that would make regime change official U.S. policy on Iran.

Freedom to bomb
"Iran Freedom Act" is not intended to bring regime change in Iran by supporting students and organizations

April 22, 2005
iranian.com

Bamdad's article "Regime change" begins with an illogical assertion and ends with unfounded innuendoes, all of which do nothing to support his conclusion that the National Iranian American Council (NIAC) is a proxy of the Iranian government as indicated by his statement: "Only, a puppet organization like NIAC would dare defend the mullahs from extinction."

Well let me defend that puppet. NIAC was established to assist Iranian-Americans establish a political voice, not to establish a political unit. I think in this day and age it is safe to say that Iranians don't agree upon anything. Hence the dichotomy, how do you create an organization which lobbies an Iranian voice, when there is no unified Iranian voice. Easy, you allow all opinions to be expressed. And in fact that's precisely what NIAC has been doing.

With respect to NIAC's letter campaign concerning H.R. 282: NIAC's report indicates that 82% of the individuals who used their website as a vehicle for addressing members of Congress did not support H.R. 282. I'm not sure why that should come to a surprise to anyone. The bill, called the "Iran Freedom Act", says that the U.S. will use any means to support regime change in Iran.

It is not unfair to say that many Iranians are against any US intervention in Iran. US foreign policy in Iran has been disastrous in the past, much of which Bamdad alludes to. Given the historical errors committed by the United States in previous "regime change" experiments in Iran it is fair to conclude that many Iranians are against external regime change.

The vast majority of Iranians I know, inside and outside of Iran, seem very clear. This is our revolution to wage and if we want regime change, it will come from us. In fact, Bamdad seems to articulate the same concerns: "Frankly, with much of my immediate family still in Iran, I really don't relish the prospect of anyone bombing Tehran or any other major urban center." Nevertheless, Bamdad believes that "maybe" people in America and Iran want the US to intervene in Iran.

Maybe, Bamdad, but maybe is not probably and it is surely not certainly and in light of the abovementioned arguments, maybe is not even likely, its more like 17.5%. What is interesting to me is that those who did not support H.R. 282 express these same concerns, which Bamdad shares: "making regime change official US policy on Iran is the equivalent of declaring war. And through war, democracy cannot prevail."

Bamdad article is not an honest attack against NIAC. It is unfounded and has no legitimate reasoning to it. It creates the ridiculous idea that anyone who opposes US intervention in Iran is not only supportive of the current regime, but also most likely supported by the regime's $80 million. In that sense, Bamdad's logic would imply the interesting conjecture that the Iranian government is funding Reza Pahlavi who has actively (but mostly passively) argued against US external regime change. And that to me would the most interesting conspiracy of all.

So, really, the only conclusion that we can draw from Bamdad's article is this: Reza Pahlavi supporting the Iranian regime is the wrong move. It will not take long before this age of modernity and technological advances in communication will reveal that your support for a peaceful internal change in Iran without US intervention is actually a conspiracy to maintain this mullacracy and is financed by the Iranian government.

In all seriousness though, I think at the heart of this problem is a misconception. That misconception being that H.R. 282 is intended to support regime change in Iran by supporting students and organizations in Iran. But the bill does not state that. H.R. 282 simply makes regime change in Iran a component of America's foreign policy; much like Iraqi regime change became a policy in 2002. It opens the door to an American invasion of Iran and opens up the possibility that "Tehran will be bombed." Therefore, it is not a conspiracy to think that the vast majority of Iranian-Americans are against H.R. 282. It is only a conspiracy to think that you, Bamdad, are not part of an illogical minority.

About
Nema Milaninia is a law student in Southern California and owner of the weblog Iranian Truth.

I wish to thank you for this letter, exposing yet again the fatally discredited AIC’s sibling NIAC. The character whose 2 messages were posted less than one hour after yours, has been a member here since April 3rd, with no prior posts under that particular username. You must have hit a nerve.

Thank you for the excellent letter, NIAC has been exposed several times and they shamelessly continue their IRI-promoting work.

Dear Moderators/Admin (Cyrus/Kian),

You should be aware that the JM Board has/ or will be closed down soon and that you should be ready for an influx of islamists, mko's, and jebhe zedde mellists here. If they get the idea to join this activist forum we will not allow them to turn this board into a filthy mosque like the JM Board! We already have one hezbo on here "Pasagarde" and I believe that one is too much already.

Thank you for the excellent letter, NIAC has been exposed several times and they shamelessly continue their IRI-promoting work.

Dear Moderators/Admin (Cyrus/Kian),

You should be aware that the JM Board has/ or will be closed down soon and that you should be ready for an influx of islamists, mko's, and jebhe zedde mellists here. If they get the idea to join this activist forum we will not allow them to turn this board into a filthy mosque like the JM Board! We already have one hezbo on here "Pasagarde" and I believe that one is too much already.

Ba Sepaas

Oh no....we will get the infamous palestinian "watan dost" over here. He was banned from daneshjoo.org...went to JM now he most likely will appear in here.........

Thank you for the excellent letter, NIAC has been exposed several times and they shamelessly continue their IRI-promoting work.

Dear Moderators/Admin (Cyrus/Kian),

You should be aware that the JM Board has/ or will be closed down soon and that you should be ready for an influx of islamists, mko's, and jebhe zedde mellists here. If they get the idea to join this activist forum we will not allow them to turn this board into a filthy mosque like the JM Board! We already have one hezbo on here "Pasagarde" and I believe that one is too much already.

Ba Sepaas

Oh no....we will get the infamous palestinian "watan dost" over here. He was banned from daneshjoo.org...went to JM now he most likely will appear in here.........

Let him "appear" but if he opens his dirty IRI mouth in here - a freedom activist page - he will "disappear" sooner than he can say something in arabic like "Allah o Akbar"!

(a) Codification of Sanctions Related to Weapons of Mass Destruction- United States sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to weapons of mass destruction with respect to Iran, as in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect, until the President certifies to the Committee on International Relations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate that the Government of Iran has permanently and verifiably dismantled its weapons of mass destruction programs and has committed to combating the proliferation of such weapons.

(b) No Effect on Other Sanctions Relating to Support for Acts of International Terrorism- Notwithstanding a certification by the President under subsection (a), United States sanctions, controls, and regulations relating to a determination under section 6(j)(1)(A) of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. App. 2405(j)(1)(A)), section 620A(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2371(a)), or section 40(d) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2780(d)) relating to support for acts of international terrorism by the Government of Iran, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act, shall remain in effect.

TITLE II--AMENDMENTS TO THE IRAN AND LIBYA SANCTIONS ACT OF 1996

SEC. 201. MULTILATERAL REGIME.

(a) Reports to Congress- Section 4(b) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended to read as follows:

`(b) Reports to Congress- Not later than six months after the date of the enactment of the Iran Freedom Support Act and every six months thereafter, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report regarding specific diplomatic efforts undertaken pursuant to subsection (a), the results of those efforts, and a description of proposed diplomatic efforts pursuant to such subsection. Each report shall include--

`(1) a list of the countries that have agreed to undertake measures to further the objectives of section 3 with respect to Iran;

`(2) a description of those measures, including--

`(A) government actions with respect to public or private entities (or their subsidiaries) located in their territories, that are engaged in Iran;

`(B) any decisions by the governments of these countries to rescind or continue the provision of credits, guarantees, or other governmental assistance to these entities; and

`(C) actions taken in international fora to further the objectives of section 3;

`(3) a list of the countries that have not agreed to undertake measures to further the objectives of section 3 with respect to Iran, and the reasons therefor; and

`(4) a description of any memorandums of understanding, political understandings, or international agreements to which the United States has acceded which affect implementation of this section or section 5(a).'.

`(1) IN GENERAL- The President may, on a case by case basis, waive for a period of not more than six months the application of section 5(a) with respect to a national of a country, if the President certifies to the appropriate congressional committees at least 30 days before such waiver is to take effect that--

`(A) such waiver is vital to the national security of the United States; and

`(B) the country of the national has undertaken substantial measures to prevent the acquisition and development of weapons of mass destruction by the Government of Iran.

`(2) SUBSEQUENT RENEWAL OF WAIVER- If the President determines that such is appropriate, the President may, at the conclusion of the period of a waiver under paragraph (1), renew such waiver for a subsequent period of not more than six months.'.

(c) Investigations- Section 4 of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

`(f) Investigations-

`(1) IN GENERAL- Upon public or private disclosure of activity related to investment in Iran by a person as described in this Act, the President shall direct the Secretary of the Treasury to initiate an investigation into the possible imposition of sanctions against such person as a result of such activity, to notify such person of such investigation, and to provide a recommendation to the President for such purposes.

`(2) DETERMINATION AND NOTIFICATION- Not later than 90 days after the date of the disclosure of the activity described in paragraph (1), the President shall determine whether or not to impose sanctions against such person as a result of such activity and shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of the basis for such determination.

`(3) PUBLICATION- Not later than 10 days after the President notifies the appropriate congressional committees under paragraph (2), the President shall ensure publication in the Federal Register of--

`(A) the identification of the persons against which the President has made a determination that the imposition of sanctions is appropriate, together with an explanation for such determination; and

`(B) the identification of the persons against which the President has made a determination that the imposition of sanctions is not appropriate, together with an explanation for such determination.'.

SEC. 202. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.

(a) Sanctions With Respect to Development of Petroleum Resources- Section 5(a) of the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--

(1) in the heading, by striking `to Iran' and inserting `to the Development of Petroleum Resources of Iran';

(2) by striking `(6)' and inserting `(5)'; and

(3) by striking `with actual knowledge,'.

(b) Sanctions With Respect to Development of Weapons of Mass Destruction or Other Military Capabilities- Section 5(b) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended to read as follows:

`(b) Mandatory Sanctions With Respect to Development of Weapons of Mass Destruction or Other Military Capabilities- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President shall impose two or more of the sanctions described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 6 if the President determines that a person has, on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, exported, transferred, or otherwise provided to Iran any goods, services, technology, or other items the provision of which has contributed to the ability of Iran to--

`(1) acquire or develop chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons or related technologies; or

(c) Persons Against Which the Sanctions Are to Be Imposed- Section 5(c)(2) of such Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 note) is amended--

(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking `or' at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; or'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

`(D) is a private or government lender, insurer, underwriter, re-insurer, or guarantor of the person referred to in paragraph (1) if that private or government lender, insurer, underwriter, re-insurer, or guarantor, with actual knowledge, engaged in the activities referred to in paragraph (1).'.

(d) Effective Date- Sanctions imposed pursuant to the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to investments made in Iran on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Congress declares that it should be the policy of the United States to support independent human rights and pro-democracy forces in Iran.

SEC. 302. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRACY IN IRAN.

(a) Authorization- The President is authorized to provide financial and political assistance (including the award of grants) to foreign and domestic individuals, organizations, and entities that support democracy and the promotion of democracy in Iran and that are opposed to the non-democratic Government of Iran. Such assistance may include the award of grants to eligible independent pro-democracy radio and television broadcasting organizations that broadcast into Iran.

(b) Eligibility for Assistance- Financial and political assistance under this section may be provided to an individual, organization, or entity that--

(1) officially opposes the use of terrorism;

(2) advocates the adherence by Iran to nonproliferation regimes for nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and materiel;

(3) is dedicated to democratic values and supports the adoption of a democratic form of government in Iran;

(4) is dedicated to respect for human rights, including the fundamental equality of women;

(5) works to establish equality of opportunity for people; and

(6) supports freedom of the press, freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.

(c) Funding- The President may provide assistance under this section using--

(1) funds available to the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiative, and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED); and

(2) amounts made available pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (g).

(d) Notification- Not later than 15 days before each obligation of assistance under this section, and in accordance with the procedures under section 634A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2394-l), the President shall notify the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.

(e) Sense of Congress Regarding Coordination of Policy and Appointment- It is the sense of Congress that in order to ensure maximum coordination among Federal agencies, if the President provides the assistance under this section, the President should appoint an individual who shall--

(1) serve as special assistant to the President on matters relating to Iran; and

(2) coordinate among the appropriate directors of the National Security Council on issues regarding such matters.

(f) Sense of Congress Regarding Diplomatic Assistance- It is the sense of Congress that--

(1) contacts should be expanded with opposition groups in Iran that meet the criteria under subsection (b);

(2) support for a transition to democracy in Iran should be expressed by United States representatives and officials in all appropriate international fora;

(3) representatives of the Government of Iran should be denied access to all United States Government buildings;

(4) efforts to bring a halt to the nuclear weapons program of Iran, including steps to end the supply of nuclear components or fuel to Iran, should be intensified, with particular attention focused on the cooperation regarding such program--

(A) between the Government of Iran and the Government of the Russian Federation; and

(B) between the Government of Iran and individuals from China, Malaysia, and Pakistan, including the network of Dr. Abdul Qadeer (A. Q.) Khan; and

(5) officials and representatives of the United States should--

(A) strongly and unequivocally support indigenous efforts in Iran calling for free, transparent, and democratic elections; and

(B) draw international attention to violations by the Government of Iran of human rights, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press.

(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Department of State such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

(a) Initial Designation- It is the sense of Congress that, not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President should designate at least one democratic opposition organization as eligible to receive assistance under section 302.

(b) Notification Requirement- Not later than 15 days before designating a democratic opposition organization as eligible to receive assistance under section 302, the President shall notify the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate of the proposed designation. If the President determines that such is appropriate, such notification may be in classified form.

How about getting a petition in support of this legislation on petitiononline, with a request for all Iranians, Iraniian-Americans and Iranian expatriates to specifically identify selves as such? Getting a couple thousand positive responses out of these categories should do quite a bit to quiet this NIAC campaign._________________The Sun Is Rising In The West!Soon It Will Shine on All of Iran!

Please sign the petition in support of HR 282www.krsi.net/petition
Click on the "Letter in support of HR 282" so you can get the signature page. They only have 1500 signature, we need a lot more.
Thank you.